We were delighted to welcome Barry Griffiths from Jimmy's Cambridge to talk to Senior House about what the charity is all about and how the money the school raised last term might be spent. Some of the money resulting from Form 4's Victorian Fayre, as well as the total amount from our whole school Christmas Jumper Day helped raise £541 for Jimmy's. Barry also spoke from first-hand experience about what was like sleeping rough and how Jimmy's helped give him hope for a different, more hopeful, future for himself.
Jimmy's, established in 1995, started as Cambridge's first year-round night shelter and has since expanded its services to offer a comprehensive range of support. It has become a prominent figure in the community, dedicated to assisting individuals who have experienced rough sleeping in the city.
The inspiration behind Jimmy's stems from the life of Jim Dilley, who personally endured the hardships of sleeping rough. During his final years, Jim found solace beneath the bridge at Junction 13 of the M11, which is now symbolically represented in Jimmy's logo. Jimmy's ethos remains unchanged—prioritising individuals and providing them with the support they need. They even take on dogs who have been on the streets with their owners!
